The number you see when you step on the scales is not the only measure of your weight-loss progress. Your looser clothes, changing shape and better health are also good signs. This week we discuss all the different factors that indicate your success.
Your weight
The scales are a great measure of success; however sometimes, even if you’ve been totally focused, the scales just won’t register all that hard work. One reason could be because you’ve exchanged some body fat for muscle. Denser muscle takes up less space than fat and weighs more on a volume for volume basis. This is really positive as muscle burns more calories than fat, boosting your metabolism and giving you better shape.
If you've been weighing in regularly, you'll enjoy looking back over your results charts, especially the total weight-loss chart and the weekly loss chart.
Your body fat
If you have a set of scales that measure body fat, keep an eye on how your percentage is decreasing. This is another great way to monitor your progress. Although body fat monitors in bathroom scales aren't always 100 percent accurate, they do tend to be relative so as long as your percentage is on a downward trend, that's worth celebrating!
If you don't have scales that measure body fat, check in with your doctor or local gym and see if they have a set you can use. Being weighed on these scales every six to eight weeks may help keep you motivated.
Your Body Mass Index
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) can indicate if you're a healthy weight for your height, so it's good to compare your BMI now to when you first started with The Club. You'll find your current BMI on the measurements page. Remember, though, that BMI is a guide for the general population and it's not appropriate for everyone. Some individuals, such as athletes, have a high percentage of muscle and can appear to be 'overweight' according to BMI even though they aren’t 'over-fat'.
Your measurements
Taking your body measurements is a great progress check. Places where you can start to see results quite quickly are the waist, bust or chest areas, upper arms, thighs and hips. Seeing your measurements decrease can reassure you that things are moving in the right direction even if you're not losing weight as fast as you want.
Your body shape
To see how your weight loss is going, look at yourself – really look! Remove your clothes and get familiar with your body. Do this every week or two and as you go on, you’ll see changes in your body shape, size and tone – definitely fewer jiggling bits! Try to focus on what looks good, especially as your body improves, and celebrate every improvement.
Your clothes
Check how well your clothes are fitting. Try on some previously tight jeans, or try on some of your old, bigger clothes and feel how loose they are. These are all signs that you're going in the right direction!